Athletics News

Tony Phifer, former assistant sports editor for the Fort Collins Coloradoan, wrote an article that was published Dec. 26, 1999. In that article Phifer offered his picks for Fort Collins' 10 best athletes. Here I model my story from his article.

10. Charles Bresnahan

This former Colorado A&M (CSU) star earned an amazing 16 letters during his college career in the 1920s. He is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame and the Colorado Hall of Fame.

9. Shelly Greathouse Borrman

She was a three-sport star at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins winning three state titles each in the shot put and discus, and she still holds the state record in the discus today. She went on to become CSU's first five-time All-American, finishing second in the discus as a senior at the NCAA championships. She is s a member CSU's Hall of Fame.

8. Greg Myers

He attended high school in Windsor, Colo. where his athletic prowess led to a pole vaulting scholarship offer from the University of Kansas. Instead, he attended CSU where he was the only four-time All Western Athletic Conference football player. He was a two-time All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1995 as the nation's top defensive back. He played in the National Football League for five years. He is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame.

7. Drew Loftin

He is one of the foremost male track and field athletes CSU has produced. He was a three-time All-American. He was an NCAA runner up in the hammer throw in 2003. In 2003 he also accomplished a feat that was a first in Mountain West Conference history by becoming a three-event champion in the hammer throw, shot put and discus throw. He is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame.

6. Becky Hammon

Simply the greatest female basketball player in state history, she not only led CSU to national prominence, she made women's basketball games must see events at Moby Arena. She was an All-American in 1999. Her remarkable career continues in the WNBA. She is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame.

This track and cross country standout was a five-time state high school champion in Oregon. He was attracted to CSU, in part, by the outdoor lifestyle and eventually became a 10-time All-American. He won two individual NCAA championships and holds seven CSU indoor and outdoor track and cross country records. He is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame. He coaches the CSU women's cross country team which won the conference and regional championships in 2007.

4. Jack Christensen

He grew up in Canon City, Colo. and ended up being a true track and football superstar at Colorado A&M (CSU). He went on to star in the NFL, twice leading the league in interceptions. He is the lone ex-Ram in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also a member of CSU's Hall of Fame and the Colorado Hall of Fame. He was so highly regarded at CSU that the school named the track and field stadium in his honor.

3. Fum McGraw

CSU's second All-American in football and an All-American in track and field; he also starred in wrestling before going on to a stellar career in the NFL. He is a member of four halls of fame. The administrative complex adjacent to Moby Gym is named in his honor, but his greatest legacy might be that any time CSU athletics is mentioned, Fum immediately comes to mind.

2. Amy VanDyken

She was an All-American multiple times during her college career. Her stay at CSU was brief, but bountiful. After winning CSU's first NCAA swimming title, she went on to be the first American woman to win four gold medals becoming the darling of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She later won two more gold medals at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She is a member of four halls of fame.

1. Glenn Morris

A standout football player and All-American track athlete at Colorado A&M (CSU), he became the "worlds greatest athlete" by winning the decathlon at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Had it not been for the amazing performance of Jesse Owens at those games, Morris would have been remembered for putting Hitler's "master race" in its place. The native of tiny Simla, Colo. went on to star as Tarzan in the movies. He is a member of CSU's Hall of Fame and the Colorado Hall of Fame and is widely considered as one of the top 10 athletes in the state's history.